The two purposes of this study were to research the principles of evaluation of judo kata performance and to suggest new principles. To this end, we examined and analyzed both Japanese and European methods of evaluating performance to identify any controversial methods of problems. The results that we have arrived at can be summarized in the following paragraphs.
A major flaw appears when the European “Losing Mark System” is carefully evaluated due to the system's inherent inability positive points such as the skills of the performances of a kata. When only the negative points are being considered, it becomes obvious that a balance must be achieved to permit the correct awarding of points to the contestants.
On the other hand, the current system in Japan does not clearly differentiate between “good and better” or “poor and worse”.
The lack of a clear statement of principles to use in evaluating the performance of kata in both the Japanese and European systems of marking Kata makes it extremely difficult for judges to give a mark to competitors. These inadequacies also are aggravated by the absence of an official referee system for Kata championships.
As the “waza no ri” is the basic concept in the evaluation of judo kata performance, the meaning of waza no ri which consists of both the “giho” (the rational mechanism of techniques)and “shimpo” (the determined psychological attitude), it is essential for both aspects to be utilized to bring each separate kata technique into its fundamental existence. The “giho” resolves the external aspect of performance within the framework of combat and “shimpo” deals with the internal aspect of expressing the meaning of combat within the total framework of all katas.
It is therefore a prerequisite for students to study successfully katas through the waza no ri and it is not possible for teachers to teach their students kata without a thorough understanding of waza no ri.
Finally, without full knowledge of the waza no ri, judges in competitions will be unable to satisfactorily evaluate kata performance and award points in a rational manner that leads to the best team emerging as victors in all levels of competition from local school intra mural competitions to World Championship results.
